The Football League today confirmed West Brom's 3-0 lead in the abandoned 'Battle of Bramall Lane' will stand as the result.

Sheffield United had three men sent off in Saturday's explosive game - and when two more were injured the match was halted in the 82nd minute as the Blades had one less than the minimum permitted seven players on the pitch.

The league board of directors' unanimous decision to opt for the award of three points - rather than a controversial replay - hoists Gary Megson's men onto 70 points, eight behind second-placed Wolves and seven above Birmingham, who occupy seventh spot and are trying to catch the play-off pack.

League spokesman John Nagle said: "The board were absolutely clear that any other decision would be grossly unfair and set a precedent that would not be in the best interests of the game."